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I28 Years Later: The Bone Temple: If you’ve watched 28 Years Later since it hit cinemas, there’s a good chance you have strong opinions about the film’s much-discussed ending.
The closing scene feels quite different in tone from the rest of the movie. It introduces a new character named Jimmy, played by Jack O’Connell, who was briefly seen as a child during the film’s opening moments, which take place during the first outbreak of the Rage Virus.
This adult version of Jimmy seems to have modelled himself after the infamous British TV personality Jimmy Savile, which adds a dark and unsettling layer to his character.
No matter how you felt about that surprising ending, it sets up something important for the upcoming sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Fans can look forward to seeing Nia DaCosta (known for directing The Marvels) take over as director from Danny Boyle, who directed the original film.
Interestingly, the sequel was filmed back-to-back with 28 Years Later, meaning it was shot around the same time. Because of this, fans won’t have to wait as long as usual for the next chapter to arrive in theatres.
So, when exactly can UK audiences expect 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple to hit cinemas? And which original cast members will be returning? Keep reading for all the latest information we have so far.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple release date
Here’s some great news for fans: unless there are any unexpected changes, we already have the official release date for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. The film is set to hit cinemas on Friday, 16th January 2026, which means it’s just a little over six months away. That gives everyone just enough time to fully digest the shocking ending of 28 Years Later before diving into the next chapter.
Things get a bit more complex when it comes to the third film in this trilogy. The Bone Temple is planned to be the second part of a three-movie story arc. The final movie’s script has already been written by Alex Garland, and Danny Boyle is hoping to return as director for that last instalment.
However, Sony has not officially approved the third film yet. Their decision will largely depend on how well the first two films perform at the box office. The good news is that 28 Years Later had a strong start during its opening week, which is a positive sign for the franchise’s future.
If the third film does get the green light, it’s unlikely it will be released as quickly as the first two, since it will still need to be filmed and completed. But hopefully, the wait won’t be too long, and fans won’t have to go too long without seeing how the story concludes.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple cast
The second film in the new 28 Years Later trilogy will once again feature child star Alfie Williams in the lead role. Alfie has received a lot of praise from both fans and critics for his impressive debut performance as Spike in the first film.
He won’t be the only familiar face returning. Ralph Fiennes is back as the mysterious Doctor Ian Kelson, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson will reprise his role as Spike’s father, Jamie, who is expected to travel to the mainland in search of his missing son.
However, a few important actors from the first film won’t be returning, mainly because their characters died during the story. This includes Swedish actor Edvin Ryding and, most notably, Jodie Comer. Unless they appear in flashbacks, fans won’t see these characters again.
One of the most talked-about new additions is Jack O’Connell, who recently earned praise for his role in another horror hit, Sinners. He made a brief but memorable appearance in 28 Years Later as Jimmy, and he’s confirmed to have a major role as the cult leader in the sequel.
Joining him will be Emma Laird and Maura Bird, who will play members of Jimmy’s cult.
Perhaps the most exciting casting news is that Cillian Murphy, an Oscar-winning actor famous for Peaky Blinders, will also be returning. Murphy starred as Jim, a bike courier, in the original 28 Days Later film from 2002. While early rumours said he would appear in the first new film, that turned out to be incorrect. However, it’s now confirmed that he will make a brief appearance at the end of The Bone Temple and will have a larger role in the trilogy’s final movie, if it gets made.
We’re really looking forward to seeing how his character connects to the new story.
If there are any more casting updates, we’ll share them right here.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple plot details
We don’t have an official summary of the sequel’s story just yet, but there are some important details we do know. One key point is that Jack O’Connell’s character, Jimmy, will have a major role in the next film. At the end of the previous movie, Spike was rescued by Jimmy’s cult, so it looks like this will be a big part of the sequel’s plot.
We can also expect that Spike’s father, Jamie, will head to the mainland as he tries to find and reunite with his son. He might team up with Doctor Kelson to search for Spike, which could add an interesting dynamic to the story.
Another character to watch is baby Isla, whom Spike took to Holy Island before heading back to the mainland. How she fits into the overall story is still a mystery, but it could be an important piece of the puzzle.
Director Danny Boyle gave fans a hint about the themes of the second film in an interview with The Independent. He said, “[The ending] is about reintroducing evil into what has been a compassionate environment.”
Boyle also shared that when he asked writer Alex Garland to describe the focus of each film, Garland explained: the first film is about family, and the second film is about evil.
This sounds very intriguing, especially considering what we already know about Jimmy and his cult. It will be fascinating to see how the film explores the idea of evil, and whether it will continue with the unusual tone introduced in the ending of 28 Years Later.
Is there a 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple trailer?
We don’t have a full trailer for The Bone Temple yet, but since the two films were made back-to-back, it’s likely we won’t have to wait too long before the first glimpse is released.
In the meantime, if you want a sneak peek of what’s coming, the best way is to watch 28 Years Later in the cinema and pay close attention to the closing scene. That final sequence definitely sets the stage for the sequel and gives a strong hint about what’s ahead.
So, if you’re curious about The Bone Temple, catching 28 Years Later now is the perfect way to get excited for the next chapter!